Cebu is harnessing technology to deliver tourism and historical information through mobile devices.

Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III recently signed an agreeent with Cebu-based new media startup InnoPub Media for the implementation of Digital Tourism in Cebu Province.

The project involves the production of mobile apps and e-books to serve as tourism guides to Cebu Province and key tourism areas. It also includes the deployment of interactive tourism markers that use quick response (QR) codes and near field communication (NFC) chips to trigger the download of information about tourism or historical sites or structures.

Digital Tourism is a nationwide campaign by InnoPub Media and wireless leader Smart Communications, Inc. (SMART) to use technology to deliver tourism, cultural and historical information. The project was pioneered in Cebu and is now in Iloilo and Baguio. The partners are working to expand it in other key locations in the country.

In Cebu, the project has been implemented in the towns of Argao and Boljoon and in the city of Carcar. It is currently being deployed in the BOSS tourism circuit of Boljoon, Oslob, Samboan and Santander. Smart and InnoPub Media will expand the program to other areas of the province, in coordination with Capitol. The Cebu expansion was launched in Argao on September 27, 2013 by Governor Davide and representatives from Smart and InnoPub.

“As I mentioned in my Report to the People early this month, the Cebu Provincial Government supports the private sector in their initiatives to develop tourism. We see tourism as a key industry and an effective trigger to economic development. The partnership we have forged with InnoPub Media with the support of Smart is one big step towards this direction,” Governor Davide said.

In time with the signing of the agreement, the partners also announced the availability of Cebu Guide for download from the Google Play Store or access via mobile web at http://cebu.myguide.ph for other mobile platforms.

The app is a comprehensive guide to Cebu for tourists and visitors, with sub-sections on where to go, what to do, where to stay and where to eat. It also includes articles on heritage sites and key historical churches in the province.

The app also contains a portable directory of important contact numbers of consulates, emergency facilities like hospitals and police and the complete list of Department of Tourism (DOT) accredited service providers like tour guides and establishments like tour operators and transport services in Cebu.

The app will be offered for free download to tourists. It will also be offered as guide to delegates of next year’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit meetings in Cebu.

“Today’s technologies allow us to put a layer of information on real life that is accessible through mobile devices,” said InnoPub Media co-founder Max Limpag, “This digital tourism project showcases that and brings together two key sectors of our country’s economy – tech and tourism.”

"We are pleased to support the digital tourism project of Cebu province. Wireless and digital technologies for tourism can play a role in fostering pride of place and in helping spur local economies. Cebu province is a good model on private and public partnership collaborations towards this end." said Atty. Maria Jane Paredes, senior manager for Public Affairs Visayas and Mindanao at Smart.